Louisiana's Super Bowl ties run deep on both Patriots and Eagles rosters

This NFL season may have ended in heartbreaking fashion for Saints fans, but Louisiana's influence on Sunday's Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots will still be felt in Minneapolis.

FORMER SAINTS

Of course former Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (2014-2016) -- who was traded before the season to the Patriots -- could play a crucial role for New England's offense on Sunday. Cooks was originally brought in to provide Tom Brady with a legitimate deep threat this season, but his role changed to more of a hybrid slot receiver with the loss of Julian Edelman to an ACL tear in the preseason.

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins - (2009-2013) In Jenkins rookie season, the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-7. Jenkins finished the game with five tackles.

Eagles running back Darren Sproles (2011-2013)

Eagles cornerback Patrick Robinson (2010-2014)

Eagles linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (2015-2016)

Should the Patriots offense stall on Sunday the team will look to turn to its two kickers -- both of whom have ties to the Pelican State.

Patriots punter Ryan Allen transferred from Oregon State to Louisiana Tech in 2010. Allen was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013 by Bill Belichick (in part because of his left legged kicking style).

DID YOU KNOW?

The Patriots all-time leading scorer is in fact not Tom Brady, but Baton Rouge native Steven Gostkowski. Since taking over for legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri in 2006, Allen has won 2 Super Bowls with New England and is the second longest tenured player on the roster next to Brady.

Patriots runningback Brandon Bolden was also born in Baton Rouge and attended Scotlandville Magnet High School.

LSU CONNECTION

Three players on the Eagles and Patriots roster have ties to the Purple and Gold.

Eagles punter Donald Scott Jones Jr. was born in Baton Rouge and attended Catholic High School and LSU. Philadelphia's cornerback Jalen Mills also attended LSU from 2012-2016. Patriots defensive tackle Ricky Barkley Jean Francois was a member of the Tigers' 2007 National Championship team.

LSU now holds the SEC record with 17-straight years of having a former Tiger player in the Super Bowl.

FROM LA TO PHILLY

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson played quarterback at Northeast Louisiana University (now UL Monroe) and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dolphins in 1991. He spent 13 seasons in professional football in both the NFL and World League before moving back to Louisiana in 2005. Pederson then turned to coaching from 2005-2008 when he coached high school football at Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport. He returned to the NFL in 2009 to be the Eagles offensive quality control coordinator.

As the weekend inches closer and closer the eyes remain down toward the tropics as we wait to see what this disturbed region in the Gulf of Mexico will end up doing the next few days. Chances for further development have increased to an 80% over the next five days.

As the weekend inches closer and closer the eyes remain down toward the tropics as we wait to see what this disturbed region in the Gulf of Mexico will end up doing the next few days. Chances for further development have increased to an 80% over the next five days.

A woman was found bound in Lake Charles today, the victim of a kidnapping. Police say they already have a suspect in custody. The woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation, a spokesman for Lake Charles Police said. It still is very early in the investigation, and detectives are still interviewing witnesses, he said. The woman was found on La. 14 near the intersection with Sugar Road, police say. This is a breaking news story and we will have updates as they b...

A woman was found bound in Lake Charles today, the victim of a kidnapping. Police say they already have a suspect in custody. The woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation, a spokesman for Lake Charles Police said. It still is very early in the investigation, and detectives are still interviewing witnesses, he said. The woman was found on La. 14 near the intersection with Sugar Road, police say. This is a breaking news story and we will have updates as they b...